Tottenham beat Arsenal to signing of Irish wonderkid Mason Melia as record-breaking transfer confirmed

Spurs have agreed to pay £1.5 million plus additional bonuses for the talented forward, smashing the previous highest transfer fee for a League of Ireland player. The previous record stood at £500,000, which Celtic paid Shamrock Rovers for Liam Scales in 2021.

Melia, who is currently 17 years old, has signed a long-term contract that will keep him at Spurs until 2031. However, due to Brexit-related regulations, he will not be able to officially join the club until January 2026, when he turns 18.

The young striker has been making waves in Irish football for some time. At just 15 years old, he made his senior debut for St Patrick’s Athletic - and scored in the process. His rapid rise attracted interest from nearly every top English club, including Manchester City, where he previously spent time on trial. Melia’s performances for St Pat’s have been impressive. Since making his debut, he has featured in 54 first-team matches, scoring 10 goals. His recent call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad further highlights his growing reputation.

St Patrick’s manager Stephen Kenny, who previously managed the Republic of Ireland national team, has spoken highly of Melia’s potential.

"Mason is a terrific talent with an exceptional attitude and a real appetite for hard work," Kenny told the club's website.

"He has had a dramatic impact for one so young, his performances in our Conference League games playing as a central striker against high-calibre opposition were of real quality. Mason has repeated those performances at international level for Ireland and has a bright future ahead for his country."

In 2023, Melia made history by becoming the youngest player ever to compete in an FAI Cup final. He played a key role in helping St Patrick’s Athletic defeat Bohemians to win the trophy, further solidifying his status as one of Ireland’s brightest young talents.

Melia is not the only young prospect Tottenham have secured in the winter transfer window. Spurs also completed the signings of Luca Furnell-Gill from Liverpool, Daniel Batty from Manchester City, and Reiss Russell-Denney from Chelsea. Meanwhile, the senior team will return to action in a crunch Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday.